LIHUE — Marjorie Works and Lucy Works both served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. Both are 62 years old. Both were at the Kauai Veterans Center celebrating Christmas on Saturday.
It was a wonderful day, twice over, for these twins.
“We enjoyed it immensely,” Marjorie Works said.
The Kauai Veterans Council put on the annual holiday celebration that featured food, music, gifts and fellowship. About 200 veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm were there. They laughed, listened and traded war stories, too.
“It’s great they put it on for us, that we can get out here and be with other veterans,” said Majorie Works, who was outfitted in a festive snowman vest and wearing a Santa cap.
Lucy, wearing a black vest that depicted a colorful toy soldier surrounded by gifts, agreed.
“It’s good to be able to come out and see veterans here,” she said.
Likewise for veteran Ricky Davis, who said, with a smile, that he served three years, five months, 15 days and 12 hours in the Air Force toward the end of the Vietnam War.
“It’s a wonderful thing that every year the council steps up and has a party for the veterans, makes sure that every veteran has a really good meal, that they’re welcome here, they have a Christmas gift of some kind,” he said. “It’s so nice we all come together — it’s just wonderful what they’ve done for us. “
Mary Kay Hertog, commander of the Kauai Veterans Council, was pleased with the turnout for the celebration and the support it received. The Kauai Marriott Resort &Beach Club donated much of the dinner. Paul Togioka performed, and Mary Lardizabal brought the Kapaa Middle School choir and band, too.
The goal is just to treat veterans to a relaxing time during the holidays.
“A lot of people have no idea how many veterans we have on this island,” she said, adding there are more than 5,000.
“Sometimes,we don’t see them unless it is Veterans Day or a Christmas dinner because many are too old to get out on a regular basis,” Hertog added.
But Saturday, she was happy to see familiar and new faces and have the chance to spend time with them.
“They appreciate being able to sit down and talk story to somebody that relates to what they’ve done,” she said. “You can see, they like talking to the younger kids, as well.”
Veteran Mark Horst said he hasn’t been too involved in veterans activities recently as he focused on volunteering with the soup kitchen at Kapaa Missionary Church.
He was glad he came to the veterans Christmas lunch.
“This is one of the best in long time,” he said.
Horst, who said “everybody calls me ‘Horse,’” served with the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War and then served eight years with the Army National Guard in Michigan. He retired and moved to Kauai in 1984.
“It’s nice getting back to say hello to a couple of old buddies, let them know I’m still kicking, still alive,” he said, laughing.
Kauai Police Department Capt. Rod Green, served with the Marine Corps from 1987 to 1991, served in Desert Storm, and is the commandant with the Marine Corps League.
He said he was honored to be part of the Christmas gathering for veterans and spend time with them.
“It’s just awesome to show that appreciation, to say ‘Hey, we really appreciate the service you’ve given us,’” he said. “I think it’s important for the younger veterans to take the mantle from them or they might be forgotten, and we can’t do that.”
